The Callahan Report from Indianapolis, May 13

13 May 1997

Final Wrap Up

INDIANAPOLIS: Action is picking up at the Speedway. There was a total
of 17 cars on the track, turning over 750 laps. The fastest was Buddy
Lazier late in the day with a speed of 217.040. Arie Luyendyk took the
day off. Second quick was Eddie Cheever at 216.909 mph. Third fastest
was Scott Goodyear with a lap of 216.513 mph.

Four drivers in cars that are not yet qualified were on the track.
Billy Boat was the fastest of those at 214.133 mph. Marco Greco was
over 210 and Billy Roe was at 209 mph. Dennis Vitolo did not get up to
speed before blowing a motor.

Practice resumes tomorrow at 11:00 AM.

SJM Is Closer To Getting On Track

INDIANAPOLIS: Stefan Johansson Motorsports (SJM) announced today that
they will run with Infiniti power and Firestone tires at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Vern Schuppan, Managing Director of the Team stated, "We are delighted
to be associated with the Nissan Infiniti Group and we have Ron
Hemelgarn and Lee Kunzman to thank for making it happen since they
were instrumental in providing a Nissan Infiniti engine to us. After
hearing of our dilemma, they offered their assistance and the next day
we had an engine in our car. This is indicative of the racing spirit
of the IRL where you will see racers helping fellow competitors in
their efforts to get in the show."

Schuppan continued "This is just the beginning for our IRL Team and
the beginning of what we anticipate will be a long-term association
with Nissan and their Infiniti program. In addition, we are very happy
to have support from Firestone and we believe that the
G-Force/Infiniti/Firestone combination will be a very effective and
competitive package."

SJM has started their run at the Indy 500 behind schedule. They plan
to build the team into a competitive and winning combination. The team
has already had success with their Indy Lights program. They finished
on the podium in two of the first three races. Long term, SJM states
they are in the IRL to win races and championships.

Stefan Johansson Motorsports is Indianapolis based. They said they are
pleased to be starting the IRL series "in their own back yard".

Tyce Carlson To Drive For PDM Racing

INDIANAPOLIS: United States Auto Club (USAC) midget, sprint, and
silver crown series star, Tyce Carlson, has been named to drive in
place of the injured John Paul Jr. The announcement was made today by
PDM Racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Paul, who broke his right leg and left heel in a serious accident last
Friday at the Speedway, was on hand for the announcement. He said "I'm
here for Tyce. I think you are looking at the winner of the race this
year. Based on the performance of the car... I believe we have the car
to win the race with." He continued "The performance of the engine has
been stellar...we haven't had an engine failure yet. I will be happy
to do everything in my power to help Tyce win the race."

Carlson stated, "I never wanted to get in the seat under the
circumstances that happened. I'm going to do my best to win this race,
not for myself, but for the guys that have worked so hard."

PDM Racing waited several days in making the announcement. The team
talked about the delay. "It was just a question of making sure it was
proper with all of the sponsors that Tyce was the natural choice." The
team has been working day and night getting the new car ready to go
for Carlson.

PDM crew continues to work on the carfont size=-1>

Carlson will attempt to qualify for the Indy 500 this weekend.

Johnny O'Connell To Replace Injured Scott Sharp

INDIANAPOLIS: After a plan to get NASCAR star John Andretti into this
year's Indy 500 fell through, A.J. Foyt announced today that Johnny
O'Connell will replace the injured Scott Sharp in the Number One
Conseco/G Force/Aurora. O'Connell drove in the 500 last year. He moved
from twenty-ninth to eighth place in just 47 laps before fuel pick up
problems sent him back down the running order.

Foyt said "It was just too hard for Cale Yarborough, John Andretti,
and me to make the deal...if it rained or something, it would be too
difficult. Johnny O'Connell is a fine driver."

Scott Sharp was present at the conference and said "Indy is the race
that we all want to be in...especially since Indianapolis is home base
for my sponsor, Conseco. It's hard... It's very hard".

O'Connell will be teamed with Billy Boat and Davey Hamilton. O'Connell
and Boat will attempt to qualify this weekend. Hamilton has already
qualified for this year's race.

In other news: There are several cars practicing "race day setups" at
the Speedway this morning. Tony Stewart is the fastest at 214.439 mph.
Billy Roe is the only unqualified car currently practicing (12:58 PM).

Billy Boat: No Bumping Allowed

Billy Boat qualified for last year's Indy 500. He qualified Roberto
Guerrero's backup car on the third day of time trials in 1996. His
speed of 221 mph was in danger of being bumped. The legendary A.J.
Foyt must have seen something he liked in the 31 year old driver from
Phoenix, AZ. Foyt placed the successful midget racer in one of his
cars with hopes that he could re- qualify if he was bumped. It was not
a good day for Boat. He crashed the Foyt entry while practicing. He
was bumped just eighteen minutes later by Joe Gosek. All Boat could do
was listen from the Methodist Hospital Emergency Room.

This year looks to be different for Billy Boat. He has been practicing
in the number 11 Conseco car for Foyt this week. His performance has
been exceptional. Boat has put in 40 laps with a top speed over 212
mph. That speed is more than sufficient to make this years field. He
will attempt to qualify this week end.

This is an instance where the Indy Racing League has opened the door
to a brilliant short track racer. In 1995, Billy Boat broke all USAC
records for consecutive single series feature wins with eleven
straight Western States victories. Ironically, the man who broke that
win streak is his current stable mate, Davey Hamilton. Boat won the
series championship that year with a total of eighteen wins in
twenty-seven starts. Boat started his USAC career in 1989.

The Foyt team had planned to run three cars at Indy this year. Billy
Boat was added to the team this past week, before Scott Sharp crashed
hard last Friday. It was announced yesterday the Sharp will not be
driving in this years Indy 500. The three car team may still be a
reality. Foyt is working with Cale Yarborough in an effort to place
John Andretti in Sharp's ride. John Andretti drives for Yarborough in
NASCAR.

Early Morning Report

The track is a little wet. Overnight rains in the area have delayed
the opening of practice for the running of the 81st Indy 500. The
track is drying and it looks promising for practice later today.

Arie Luyendyk, the pole winner, was fastest again yesterday with a
speed over 217 mph.

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